Song festival fans can listen to That’s life from Claude countless times, but now the video clip has also been presented. Yesterday, the Songfestival entry was leaked one day before the official presentation. “C’est la vie,” Claude said about that.

In That’s life, the 21-year-old Claude sings in both English and French. At the end of last year, he revealed in the talk show Eva that the number would be bilingual. He usually sings in French and Dutch. “While writing, I thought: I want to convey a message, but I want to reach so many more people. Let’s go,” he said. “We do English and French.”

The song is a tribute to his mother. “She has always told me that life will not always be easy, but that you should always try to see bright spots,” says Claude. And that is also the message he wants to give listeners. “It goes up, it goes down and around and around. But hey, c’est la vie.”

The Songfestival number of Claude starts as a ballad and then turns into a danceable pop number. The song remains repeated by the tens of times Lalala. There are also people who do not understand English or French.

Claude broke through in 2022 with Ladada (my last word). Last year, he was chosen by Omroep AVROTROS from more than 300 entries. In 2023, the singer made an English-French version of Withdraws.

The Dutch singer of Congolese descent is scheduled to perform on Tuesday, May 13, in Basel in the first semifinal of the Songfestival. The final is on Saturday, May 17. Switzerland can organize the music event because Nemo last year with The Code won the Songfestival.

Yesterday, Claude’s song leaked out on social media at the beginning of the afternoon. “Of course we investigate whether we can find out where the leak comes from,” said a spokesperson for Omroep AVROTROS. “But it is difficult. We know it happened earlier with other countries.”

First Semifinal

The fact that Claude’s number is partly in French can be favorable for him in the first semifinal. Of the (partly) French-speaking countries, the televoters from Belgium and Switzerland can vote in that semi-final.

Red Sebastian performs on behalf of Belgium that evening. Switzerland, where Frans is one of the official languages, can also vote that evening. That country is automatically placed for the final as the winner of the previous edition.

France is also automatically placed for the final as one of the ‘big five’ countries. Televoters from that country are not allowed to vote in the semi-final of Claude, but only in the second semifinal.

Impact on the Eurovision Song Contest

Claude’s decision to sing in both English and French is a strategic move that could resonate with a broader audience. The Eurovision Song Contest, much like the American Idol or the Grammy Awards, is a platform for artists to showcase their talent and reach a global audience. By incorporating English, Claude aims to make his song more accessible to non-French-speaking viewers, similar to how American artists often include Spanish or other languages in their music to appeal to diverse audiences.

Historical Context

The Eurovision Song Contest has a rich history, dating back to 1956. Over the years, it has seen various languages and styles of music, reflecting the cultural diversity of Europe. Claude’s bilingual approach is not unprecedented; many artists have used multiple languages to connect with a wider audience. For instance, Celine Dion’s “Ne partez pas sans moi” and ABBA’s “Waterloo” are examples of songs that have successfully bridged language barriers.

Fan Reaction and Social Media Impact

The leak of Claude’s song has sparked a wave of excitement and anticipation among fans. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram are buzzing with reactions, with many fans expressing their enthusiasm for the song. The leak, while initially frustrating for the organizers, has generated significant buzz and could potentially boost Claude’s chances in the contest. This phenomenon is similar to the impact of leaks in the U.S. music industry, where early releases of songs often lead to increased streaming numbers and chart positions.

Addressing Potential Counterarguments

Some critics might argue that the leak could detract from the official presentation and diminish the impact of the song. However, historical data shows that leaks often lead to increased interest and engagement. For example, the early release of Beyoncé’s “Formation” in 2016 led to a massive surge in streaming and social media discussions, ultimately benefiting the artist.